Putting together pieces from “Minnesota’s rich geological history, transgender identity and a little bit of actual science,” Jay Owen Eisenberg’s solo play “Big Old Rock” features him as an obsessed geologist intent on figuring out a way to observe the glacially slow transformation of rocks. The inventive Eisenberg, a veteran of “Charm” and “Hir” at Mixed Blood Theatre, also created the show, which is directed by Katherine Pardue. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Open Eye Figure Theatre, 506 E. 24th St., Mpls., $10-$15, 612-874-6338 or openeyetheatre.org. )

U.S. wildlife officials have released a recovery plan for an estimated 1,000 grizzly bears in Montana — the largest grizzly population in the lower 48 — as they lay the groundwork to potentially lift protections for the animals.